Sunday, September 19, 2010

Staying Strong

Somebody was expressing concern about working weekends, where they would not be able to attend church except on their days off.

I completely understand as I worked weekends for many years.  You can stay strong in the Lord if you want to though.  I used to write scripture verses on sheets of paper, as thankful confessions and speak them over myself during my day.  That was in the days before they had mp3 players. I know I am dating myself now. Ha ha.

During the week I would attend a prayer group or bible study if I could. This gave me the opportunity to grow in spiritual gifts and how to flow with others in a meeting.

Another thing I did was record some ministry tv programs and then watch them when it was convenient.

Daily time with the Lord really helped me too.  Many times I would listen to a teaching cd and then realize they were sharing something the Lord had taught me privately.  God honors the heart's cry.  He promised that those who seek and thirst for righteousness will be filled.

I was also blessed with the ability to sing a new song to the Lord.  I could never remember the lyrics of popular songs right, so I would make up my own words to them as Holy Spirit led.  The end result was that while I was working my mind was being transformed.  This is a powerful principle.  Martin Luther used it to great advantage in his days and many revivals  spread and had lasting impact because of people singing Christ centered songs.

Nowadays with the advent of mp3 and ipod players almost anyone with computer access can stay strong in the Lord.  There are many websites that offer free pod casts that teach great revelation.

I heard someone once say that they didn't like to listen to other preaching as they felt they had to get it all for themselves. That's so sad because we don't have time to reinvent the wheel.  If we are ever going to get the job done we need to stand on the shoulders of the people who have gone before us with all the revelation they've received and press in for more.

Finally,  the last thing I make sure to do every day is pray in tongues a lot.  Paul said that he prayed in tongues more than any of them. I don't know how long that was for, but I am trying to match him.  Jude says that we build ourselves up in our most holy faith praying in other tongues. (Jude 23)   I also like the verse in Timothy about stirring up the gifts that God has placed inside of you. (2Tim 1:6)

In conclusion,  I wouldn't stress out if you have to work weekends and miss church for a while.  If you put a couple of the ideas I mentioned to work you will come out the stronger for it.

Let's pray: Thank You Lord for helping us to stay strong in you.  Thank You for giving us a hunger for Your word and supernatural recall so we can always remember it. Show us who to get teaching from and what to study.  Let us study to show ourselves approved, workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing Your word. (2Tim. 2:15)

Bless you in Jesus' name!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale

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